City in northwestern Iran with 300,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate) at an elevation of 1521 metres above sea level. Sanandaj is the capital of the Kordestan Province with 1.55 million inhabitants (2005 estimate) and an area of 28,817 km².The economy of Sanandaj is based upon the production of carpets, processed hides and skins, milled rice, refined sugar, woodworking, cotton weaving, metalware and cutlery.The main landmark of Sanandaj is a fortress dating back to the period of Abbasid rule.The population of Sanandaj is mainly Kurdish, with an Armenian minority.